Conversations with the Inspiring Michele Castro

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michele Castro.

Michele, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I started playing guitar when I was 13 because I saw my mom’s boyfriend playing and thought it was really cool. My mom tried to sign me up at the music school in Rocinha but there was a waitlist for guitar, so I started on the flute instead. When I transitioned to guitar, I would play for my friends and they’d always say, “Sing the lyrics too!” but I didn’t feel like I was a good singer. I still don’t consider myself a singer, I’m more of an instrumentalist. Through an amazing opportunity at the music school, I was able to go on two musical tours of Germany (2003 and 2009) as the lead singer of a Choro band. On both tours, we played Samba, Bossa Nova, Choro and Forro music. These opportunities through the music school were really life-changing for me and the school is still open to this day. In 2006, I had the chance to sing the anthem for the Pan American Games and go to visit many cities around Brazil that way and even played and sang for President Lula.

I met my wife, Ali, in 2010 and we moved to Colorado in 2015 where I have been exploring the Brazilian music scene and Jazz in Denver, mostly playing Bossa Nova and MPB (Musica Popular Brasileira). It has been a great experience getting to know musicians and music lovers in Denver and Boulder. I have met so many amazing musicians in these last four years and I’m looking forward to some really exciting projects coming up over the next year.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road since it is not possible yet to only live off music. I have a full-time job and trying to balance that with my passion is an extra job. However, the path to finding my musical personality was smooth and natural. When I see videos of myself singing, I am still surprised, usually with how daring it is, how courageous, to expose oneself, like I am through my voice, even being outside of what the music industry would consider, mainstream.

My advice for other women is to follow your truth with faith and perseverance. Get to know your soul and your story. Never hide your voices, even if you pay a high price for that. There are so many other young women looking to you as an example.

Please tell us more about your music, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
When I started guitar at age 13, I learned a little bit of Choro, Samba, MPB and Brazilian Rock and only started singing when I was 16. Even though I never planned on being known for singing, it has been a great way to represent my feelings and has allowed other people to connect to me this way that made me keep singing. Singing for me is above all, about feeling. My rhythms are sometimes off-kilter, my voice might sound raspy, guttural or smooth but my intention is to make whoever is listening or watching feel what I’m putting out.

I think it is my singularity. My voice, my rhythms, the way I understand and present the songs during my performance. I am proud to represent the minority of my country, and that is reflected in the songs that I present.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Even though I never prepared myself for success because that had never been my objective, I experienced some impacts which helped with my personal development. The way I was raised prepared me for life, and it is very interesting to see that impacting the way I approach my visibility, or when people recognize my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.michelecastro.com
• Phone: 7204130264
• Email: michelecastro.rj@gmail.com
• Instagram: michelecastro_rj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelecastro.rj

Image Credit:
Chris Medina, Rob Slowinski, Carla Alves

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